Cancun Indie Travel Guide

Cancun is, for many, the perfect mix of Mexican beach destination and cultural and historic attractions, so it's no surprise that it's one of the top cities to visit in Mexico.

What to Do

Whether you're the kind of person who just wants to lie on a beautiful beach and have lots of little drinks with umbrellas in them, or you're the kind of person who craves ancient ruins and historic monuments when you're on vacation, Cancun has something for you. This planned city is tailor-made for tourists, so everything you could want out of a Mexican beach vacation has already been thought of and is within easy reach for you. But with a little effort and a short trip out of the city, you're immersed in Mexican history.

One of the most famous monuments in Mayan history is located not far from Cancun - Chichen Itza is roughly 2.5 hours away by car, but you can take an organized day trip from Cancun as well. Even closer to Cancun, however, is Tulum, a major Mayan archeological site that actually overlooks the Caribbean Sea.

And after you've soaked in all that history (or before), you'll want to relax on the beaches - they're the reason Cancun exists in the first place, after all. The water is impossibly blue, there are lots of water sports to try out, the beaches are white and invitingly soft... There's really no reason you shouldn't spend most of your time on the beach in Cancun.

Getting There

Mexico's second-busiest airport is Cancun International Airport (airport code CUN), so it's easy to get a flight to Cancun and be on the beach pretty quickly after you arrive. Most major airlines serve Cancun from airports throughout the Americas, as well as several airports in Europe.

Once you're in Cancun you can get around the city easily by bus - it's a cheap transportation method and the buses go prtty much everywhere you'll want to go. For more personal service, you can take taxis or rent your own car.

Where to Stay

There is one area of the city that is home to most of the hotels in Cancun (it's well-served by the bus lines and close to the airport), though these are not necessarily the cheapest hotels. The more budget options are going to be in the downtown area, further away from the beach. If you're really on a budget, there are hostels in Cancun, too!

Cancun's busiest season is generally winter, from December through April, so you'll want to make sure you've booked your accommodation well in advance during this time especially.